1963 Corvette Grand Sport up for auction. Time to sell mansion

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We know, we know: poring over 40-year-old American classics up for auction is all a bit What Pipe and Slippers magazine.

But this one is a cracker. Really. This is the 002 chassis Corvette Grand Sport from 1963, set to go up for auction in Arizona early next year.

Described as the most important Corvette ever to come to market, the Grand Sport is one of just five of the race-ready ‘Vettes ever built, and one of just two roadster versions. It’s rare, in other words…

The Grand Sport was designed and built in secret by GM in preparation for competition at FIA races and, eventually, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. GM had planned to built some 120 racers, but canned the project after just five prototypes.

Powered by a 6.2-litre all-aluminium V8, the Grand Sport is believed to put out around 550bhp – a simply massive amount for a car that’s nearly as old as the venerable Mr Clarkson himself.

No word on how much the Grand Sport is expected to fetch under the hammer, but we’d guess it’s in the ‘many, many millions of dollars’ region.